Just the Way You Are
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Get 30 days of Standard free
Buy Now for £13.83
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Narrated by:
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Eilidh Beaton
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By:
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Beth Moran
Summary
A novel about friendship, romance and learning to love yourself - just the way you are from Number One bestselling author Beth Moran.
When Olivia Tennyson – or Ollie to her friends – was sixteen, she wrote a Dream List of all the things she wanted for her life, including a happy marriage and a family.
But at twenty-nine, Ollie is single, living at home with her over-protective and manipulative mother, and is feeling like her dreams are getting further out of reach.
It’s time for a change.
It’s time to take matters into her own hands.
Without telling her mum, or more importantly, asking her permission, Ollie finds the perfect place to start her new life. End Cottage has a duck-egg blue front door, a garden that leads to acres of forest, and definitely counts as her dream home.
Now all Ollie has to do is complete the rest of her list and find out who she really is, before she can imagine any romance coming into her life. After all, how is she going to find her dream man in the middle of a forest…
Reading Beth Moran’s gorgeous novels makes every day better. Uplifting, smart, with unforgettable characters and gorgeous settings, it’s impossible not to fall in love with a Beth Moran story. Perfect for all fans of Jill Mansell, Julie Houston, and Jenny Colgan.
©2022 Beth Moran (P)2022 Boldwood BooksCritic reviews
"Life-affirming, joyful and tender." (Zoe Folbigg)
"Every day is a perfect day to read this." (Shari Low)
"A British author to watch." (Publisher's Weekly)
Couldn't Stop Listening
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Perfect!
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I'm so glad I stumbled upon this gem, as it includes everything I love in a story:
1.Late separation-individuation from a parent – The protagonist, Ollie, deals with a selfish and manipulative mother who tries to keep her close and prevent her from living her own life. It’s a powerful exploration of breaking free and finding independence.
2.Self-discovery at 29 – Ollie embarks on a journey to figure out who she is, what she wants to do, and what truly makes her happy—beyond the influence of her mother or friends.
3.A dog – Always a bonus in any story!
4. Interior design – As an interior designer, I loved the vivid descriptions of her new home and the neighbours’ houses she explores.
5. Helping the one in need – I appreciated the subplot involving a smart, book-loving girl living in tough conditions, and how Ollie saw a kindred spirit (non-romantic) in her and helped her improve her life.
6. A healthy romantic interest – The male lead is mature and respectful, offering the potential for a healthy, non-toxic relationship, which is refreshing.
7. Balanced romance – While there is a love story, the book prioritises Ollie's personal development and autonomy, making it all the more inspiring.
8. English countryside and culture – As a non-native reader, I enjoyed the charming details of English everyday life: living in a terraced cottage, navigating quirky delivery issues, and more.
9. Narration and length: The narration by Eilidh Beaton is fantastic, adding even more warmth and charm to the story. At nearly 12 hours long, it’s the perfect length to fully enjoy Ollie's journey without feeling rushed.
Beth Moran has created a truly uplifting and relatable story that’s both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Highly recommend it!
Amazing story! It has verything I love in a book.
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Lovely romance but so much more…
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She never demonises but also does not brush over the pain and struggles experienced by many.
She also shows there is hope and at least the start to moving forwards.
A story of flawed characters and moving forwards
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